Caps 'Round the Clock

Welcome!

Welcome to Caps 'Round the Clock, a blog covering the Washington Capitals and the NHL. In season, I update the Blog after every practice and on game day with Caps news and information, and then provide a recap and analysis after each contest. I also write a periodical Prospect Watch and weekly feature pieces on the state of the Men in Red and other things Capitals. And of course, I will post videos and tidbits from around the League and offer my two cents as the season wears on. In the offseason, I write a Report Card for each player, and will keep you updated on all the news about the Caps through the summer. I'm glad you're here, and hope you come back!

Thursday, April 10, 2014

So that’s it.
It’s over. For the first
time since the spring of 2007, the Washington Capitals are not in the NHL
playoffs. It’s an odd feeling; one
that I felt was inevitable at some point over the last three seasons, and now
that it has, it’s quite empty. But
it’s here. And now, it’s time to
fix it.

Here are some (very early and preliminary) thoughts about this team and how to do just that.

I’m not going to go in to deep detail over what finally sunk
this team to the level they are at right now.I’ve written about their problems ad nauseam over the last
three years but especially this year and by now, you know what did them in: bad
possession, bad coaching, bad lineup decisions, and poor roster
construction.This is nothing new
if you’ve read anything I have written over the last 24 months.

In reality, this team should have counted itself very lucky
over the last two seasons, but particularly last year, to make the
playoffs.It was their failure to
realize this that has ultimately led us to this moment.Instead of being proactive and trying
to fix a flawed team with deep issues, the cracks were papered over with
rhetoric, public relations work, and t-shirts celebrating yet another Southeast
Division Championship.

Now that the team has finally missed the playoffs for the
first time since “the rebuild,” an opportunity has presented itself for real
change.This means several things,
including but not limited to new people in charge, up and down the totem
pole.It means a new coach/coaching staff and a new general manager.Names I would consider for each position, respectively: Guy Boucher,
Peter Laviolette, Dan Bylsma/Barry Trotz (should they become available); Jason
Botterill, Al Macisaac, Wayne Thomas, Joe Will.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

It's been almost two years since I started this blog on a cold, rainy fall night in 2011. Through it, I have met many people who I now consider friends, peers, and colleagues covering the Capitals and the NHL. Using this blog as a starting point, I joined RocktheRed.net a little over a year ago, expanding to more in-depth analysis and news about the Caps.

And now, I will be shutting down this blog. Original content on this website has taken a hit in the last year because of my work with RtR, and there is no sense in keeping two blogs running when I really only post to one on a consistent basis. I will continue to link my RtR pieces here for the sake of it, though, and hope to bring you the best coverage I can from that site.

To everyone who helped me move on, thank you. I never imagined when I started this site that it could grow as much as it did.

Oh, and I'm starting another sports blog called The Hawk's Nest. Check it out, I would be much obliged.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Read my latest for RtR, in which I examine new Capital Wojtek Wolski's career and what he could bring to the Washington lineup as George McPhee attempts to replace Alexander Semin. You can read the article here.

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Welcome to CRtC

About Me

Hello, Caps or hockey fan! My name is Harry Hawkings and I am a sophomore and aspiring sports writer at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. At Trinity, I manage the Men's Ice Hockey team, write sports for the newspaper, and work for the student-run sports website, Trinity Sports Network.

I have been a Caps fan since I attended my first game when I was four years old and remember spending my allowance whenever I could to see the Capitals when they were having their 20-win seasons in the early and mid 2000s. About halfway through October 2010, I got bored one night and decided to start a Caps blog. I created it to help connect with my fellow Caps fans, to provide and pass along news, and to give my insight on the Capitals as they navigate their season.

I now write for RockTheRed.net as well, and am credentialed, through them, to work games and practices. Please, let me know what you think by leaving a comment, and come back!

If you would like links to Caps news, as well as my posts, or if you just want to laugh, you can follow me on Twitter: @HarryHawkings.